Of Summer’s June and Delightful Garden Gifts

June has been the busiest month that went by in an absolute flash.

Planting, tending, harvesting and then making treats for the year with the first harvests.

We have many citrus trees at both houses that keep us so busy.

There are actually still lemons coming in and the lime tree gifts twice a year, sometimes three.

So, the limes will be in soon.

And of course, endless sweet oranges and pink grapefruits make us utterly happy.

Although the citrus are officially ripe in March, many that grew a bit slower are still coming in today.

It’s absolutely amazing.

Somehow, they meet up with all of our early Anna apples.

We have several Anna apple trees that thrive in a warmer climate and gift ripe apples in June.

The most curious thing is that each tree gifts slightly different sizes and colors of apples.

Some turn red on one side and others stay neon green.

They are the perfect sweet to tart ratio and we enjoy eating them, baking with them, and I even make apple jam every year.

We watch tomatoes grow whilst all of the herbs are ready to be pruned and dried, although they will continue to produce well into autumn.

To name a few, I have thyme, marjoram, rosemary, basil, oregano, parsley, chervil, tarragon, lavender, lemongrass, Thai basil along with many varieties of peppers and chilies.

Then there are pumpkins and squash, and all the summer flowers that take over after the spring flowers have gone.

Needless to say, I am a busy gal, plus all the life things I like to do, and visits from family and my sister.

It’s just wonderful.

Then there are all sorts of adventures that happen unexpectedly, such as the tree that fell into our swimming pool this summer, which I had to pull out on my own as I was the only one home at the time.

Then between that and everything else, all the little garden and heavy lifting injuries I get along the way.

If you are a garden keeper, it will happen.

As, my dad used to say, injuries will come and go so just muscle through it as best as you can, and so I do.

I remember that when I first expanded to larger gardens and such, in around 2001 (at the country house), I injured my foot on a shovel and limped around for one year until it finally healed. It’s just par for the course.

I still continued to wear fanciful platform and ribboned shoes despite it all.

And now, here we are in 2026.

It feels like time has flown by in a snap, but also like that was a lifetime ago.

How can it feel that way?

Well, I for one am deeply thankful to Mother Nature and all the wonderful things a garden adds to one’s life.

Especially peace, sanity, and of course, hope.

There’s always another season to look forward to.

I had the loveliest visit with my sister.

We celebrated our summerween shenanigans for many days, and it was just wonderful.

We did crafts, cooked, baked and watched haunted movies.

I have made sooo many Tarte Tatins this apple season.

I gift them to beloved friends and family.

Next will be apple lemon jam, which I will properly can for the year.

The 4th of July is just around the corner, and monsoon season is swirling around us.

Creating drama, and just waiting to explode.

We did have some early monsoon rain a couple of times in June, which was glorious.

I can’t wait for more.

I have read a few books, and gathered a spooky stack for summerween, but I fear I am running out of time, so perhaps they will then be for Halloween.

There’s just so much to do every day.

Never mind the list of all the things I want to do.

Do you feel the same way?

I have this painting I have been working on for the last year.

Every so often I add a little more to it, but I do think I would like to finish it in July.

It’s gone everywhere with me.

On journeys, and trips, and back and forth between the country house and house 2.

I think it’s picked up a little magic along the way and seen so much.

Maybe it’s because there is a caravan in it?

Perhaps it’s the painting that is sending me on all of these curious adventures.

Speaking of that, I would like to leave you with a link to the most wonderful documentary about Andrew Wyeth.

If you are a lover of the arts, perhaps a painter yourself, or fascinated by artists and how they work, then you must watch this documentary.

I cried when the story is being told about what he was doing on his death bed.

Such a great story, so moving.

I suppose I should be on my way.

Thank you for visiting with me here today.

Hope to see you very soon.

All my very best!

Love, Vanessa